Port Moresby – In response to the ongoing drought affecting Nissan Island and the surrounding Atolls in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is playing a critical role in supporting local authorities to deliver life-saving assistance and build long-term resilience. 

With widespread impacts on water access, food security, and livelihoods, the drought has placed significant strain on vulnerable communities across the region. In close coordination with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the National Disaster Centre, IOM is implementing a multi-faceted response that includes technical expertise, needs assessments, logistical support, and climate adaptation/early recovery planning. IOM’s Buka Field Office is working together with the AROB’s Directorate of Disaster and Emergency to carry out needs assessments, focusing on key sectors such as water, sanitation and hygiene, health, and livelihoods. These assessments ensure that the response is informed by evidence and tailored to the unique needs of affected communities. The data is also shaping longer-term strategies aimed at enhancing climate resilience and supporting recovery in affected areas. 

To meet urgent needs, IOM is coordinating the delivery of 200 non-food item kits from its storage in Buka and Kokopo, in response to an official request from the ABG. These kits contain essential supplies such as water containers, soap, and kitchen utensils. Notably, these relief supplies were pre-positioned under the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance-funded project, ‘Addressing the Drivers and Consequences of Disaster Displacement Through Enhancing Resilience in Papua New Guinea’. IOM teams are supporting the entire supply chain process, including procurement, loading, and transportation of relief items in partnership with local authorities. IOM is also assisting in the assembly of additional relief kits using both its own stocks and supplies provided by humanitarian partners and the ABG. 

“Recent assessments have revealed the impact the drought has had on communities across Nissan Island and the Atolls,” said David Arnold, Chief of Mission for IOM Papua New Guinea. “In close collaboration with local authorities, we are not only delivering immediate humanitarian assistance but also working to strengthen local systems, so communities are equipped to face future climate and natural hazards shocks. Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind, and that the people of AROB have the tools, support, and resilience needed to recover and thrive in the long term,” added David. 

Additionally, IOM will support the on-the-ground distribution of relief items to affected communities in Nissan and the Atolls. In parallel, the ABG and IOM are planning to deploy a rapid climate adaptation assessment to collect critical data that will inform future preparedness and long-term adaptation strategies. These efforts are essential not only for supporting recovery from the current drought but also for strengthening communities’ ability to withstand future climate-related shocks. 

Through its integrated approach, combining emergency response with long-term climate resilience and early recovery planning, IOM is helping to alleviate immediate suffering while laying the groundwork for enhanced resilience and sustainable recovery. By working in close partnership with the government and local stakeholders, IOM ensures that support reaches those who need it most, when they need it most. 

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For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby:  

Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int   

Anne Mandal, Tel: +675 72026763, Email: amandal@iom.int